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| When the Tech is at the front of the dock, it should be headed along
the dock in the direction that allows the bow to be pointed closest
into the wind and with the sail luffing. To get away from the dock,
check the wind to see where you must head to be able to fill the sail,
and determine what will be the windward side so you will know where
to sit. |
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Get the boat moving along the dock so the tiller will work and steer onto the course you have determined is necessary to fill your sail. |
| You can start by sitting in the boat and pulling yourself along to get some speed while you steer away with the other hand, or you can stand on the dock holding the stay, take a few steps along the dock to develop speed, giving one final push out as you step into the departing boat.As you might imagine the latter method takes a little more agility and understanding of the hull's stability. Keep your sail luffing until the momentum of your push carries the boat to a course which will allow the sail to seek the leeward side.To make a landing, you must again carefully check the wind to determine which direction is most upwind. Approach to the leeward side of the spot you expect to land in so you will have room to turn up into your spot.Since you have no brakes, you must be prepared to luff your sail to slow down. If you misjudge when to let out the wail and let it out too soon (and lose your headway before your destination is realized), you will lose the ability to steer. Try to touch the dock with the part of your hull where the stay goes through the gunwale, and as soon as you touch, move the tiller away from the dock to increase the friction and thus stop the boat quicker. A final word of advice Ð avoid the tendency of making your turn to early and thus using up all your turning room. Also, in the first few landings, select a spot with plenty of room on either side in which to land. |
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